15 Easy Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tips

It’s my most favorite time of the year! Yep, that’s right. It’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival holiday season. I take it as my honor to give you 15 powerful tips to 10X your trip!

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1 – Get to Epcot Food and Wine Festival Early

Coming early to the EpcotFood and Wine Festival will give you a chance to pace yourself. You will be able to enjoy not only the amazing food that’s being offered, but you’ll also get to experience the attractions in both Future World and World Showcase.

2 – Map Out Your Day

This is another classic tip for any avid Disney traveler. Mapping out your day will save you the headache of missing out on any of your must do items, especially if you’re only able to visit once.

This tip is very important, because it will help guide you on:

Where to find each marketplace

What time seminars/events will occur

Any information regarding speakers, performers, and other special Disney guests

Download Disney one-day game plan itinerary by clicking image

3 – Get a Festival Passport

Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Festival Passports are free and available all over Epcot. The passport is a booklet that allows you to personalize it with your name, country, date issued, and date of completion.

It also includes the locations of marketplaces, a detailed list of the dishes, merchandising options, and concert information. Stickers are also included for you to mark off which food booth you’ve visited.

4 – Start in the Festival Center

Starting here is a must!

It opens two hours before World Showcase and it is a good way to enjoy a few seminars and chat with the Cast Members, possibly gaining some insider tips.

Festival Center Wine Shop

Inside the Festival Center you find passports to start your world adventure, the wine shop, Intermissions Café, The Chocolate Experience, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak, Bottles and Book Signings, a wine making film, and seminar stages.

5 – Go During the Weekdays

For the best time I recommend attending the festival during the weekdays (Monday through Thursday). These days tend to be the least crowded days at Epcot. This will help you be able to make the most of your time at the festival.

6 – Plan to Visit Multiple Times

The Epcot International Food and Wine festival is like no other festival out there. That’s why I recommend visiting on multiple occasions throughout the season.

You will need a trip to try it all, a trip for seminars, and a trip to retry your favorites.

7 – Attend the Food and Wine Festival Seminars

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Seminar with Murphy-Goode Winery

There’s no better way to enjoy the event than attending the amazing variety of classes. The prices range from a luxurious all-encompassing experience to budget friendly 45-minute presentation. A plus is that you will get to meet many of your favorite chefs and try the dishes and drinks in your class.

The sessions are done very well and are lots of fun!

8 – Put Money on a Disney Wristlet Gift Card

Tasting the many samples without a set budget could turn a fun trip into one of financial regret…trust me, I’ve made this mistake a few times. Be sure to put “get a Disney wristlet gift card” at the top of your priority list.

Believe it or not, $3 here or $5 there adds up quickly. I recommend budgeting $35-$45 for each person in your party.

And that’s just a budget for food!

Beer and wine samples are poured at about 3 ounces for wine and 6 ounces for beer or cocktails. On average, adult beverage samples usually cost between $3-$9 with cocktails around $9.50.

10 – Split the Cost

Going with a friend or two or three lowers your budget and makes the event memorable. You can share multiple dishes without leaving Epcot broke.

Hipster Power Tip: Share a beer or wine flight with a friend. Each flight contains 3 to 4 samples.

11 – Share Your Table with Others

It’s Epcot and it’s your home, so why not make new friends by sharing your table. On busy festival days, finding a table can be hard. If your group is small and you have an extra spot, why not invite someone over who you see searching the area for a place to enjoy their fabulous dish.

12 – Plan for A Cab or Have A Designated Driver in The Group

Previewing the festival’s menu gives you an idea of what delicious treats can be expected. There are lots of drinks (mostly adult inspired) that will hopefully leave you balanced and able to walk out.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Be sure to have a plan for this kind of indulgence, it makes for a safe and fun experience at Epcot.

Hipster Power Tip: Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and taking frequent breaks.

13 – Book Your Reservations Early

Reservations are your friend!

Most Epcot Food and Wine Festival fans know that the small spots for the great classes fill up fast; therefore, it is highly recommended to reserve the seminar or special event you’re the most excited to attend right away.

Reservations can be made by calling 407/WDW-FEST (407-939-3378) or online. Remember to book quickly to guarantee a spot.

14 – Try New Things

It’s easy to stick with the things most familiar to you, but that’s not what Epcot Food and Wine Festival is all about!

Since the portions are smaller, it’s a great way to try something at least once…or twice as Andrew Zimmern states.

It is at the festival that I learned the art of eating escargot. Maybe due to the dish being smothered in butter and garlic!

Epcot chefs definitely understand how to ease guests, like you and me, into exploring new cultural cuisines.

15 – Have Fun!

African Wine at Epcot Food and Wine Festival

You’re really going to have a great time, so try not to stress too much if you find yourself spending too much time at the marketplaces or in the seminars. There’s always something going on in the park that will allow you to have the best time ever!

Have fun, learn something, eat well, and drink up!

You’re now loaded with all of the tips to doing the Epcot Food and Wine Festival like a pro. What tip do you think is the most helpful for making the most of your time at the festival?

NikkyJ

JOIN NIKKYJ ON THIS SOLO THEME PARK JOURNEY
NikkyJ is the author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler's Guide who loves ALL things amusement park related. She was born and raised in Florida which attributed to her passion for theme parks.
Instead of rushing over to the thrill rides, like she used to, you may find her in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot enjoying a nice glass of Pinot Noir and a delightful book!
NikkyJ enjoys traveling solo to theme parks and wants to show you how you can overcome any of your fears and TAKE THE SOLO THEME PARK CHALLENGE!

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